Over the Last Five Decades, the Cape Vulture Gyps Coprotheres, Has

CAPE VULTURE TASK FORCE REPORT 2011 “To stabilize the global Cape Vulture population” Compiled by: Kerri Wolter Vulture Programme (VulPro) Co-ordinator: CVTF (EWT) [email protected] Contributing authors (alphabetically): D Allan, S Khoza, S Krueger, D Peinke, A Pickles, M Neethling, W Neser, S Ronaldson, K Shaw, R Uys, K Wolter & J van Wyk Introduction The Cape Vulture is the most studied vulture species in southern Africa and yet, even after decades of conservation effort and attention placed on this endemic species, the population continues to decline. The Cape Vulture Task Force was therefore initiated in 2006 after reviewing the conservation and monitoring actions for the species (Boshoff, A.F. & Anderson, M.D. 2006.). The Task Force functions under the auspices of the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Birds of Prey Programme and its activities are coordinated by Kerri Wolter from the VulPro NPO. It’s aim is to co-ordinate all conservation efforts and monitoring for the species, collate the information and drive and implement new and existing conservation strategies for the overall purpose of turning around the existing trend of decline in this species. Now, after a few years of existence, the benefits/outcomes of the endeavours of the Cape Vulture Task Force are becoming apparent and results below highlight the work undertaken by individuals and organizations dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the Cape Vulture. Monitoring and Evaluation I am happy to report for the first time in years, we have a (almost) complete count of all the Cape Vulture breeding colonies. There are still some gaps as can be seen from the table below but also some very positive results for this year’s breeding season. I hope to have a complete table for the 2012 breeding season and, with the help of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, we now have some funding towards this target. We have re-drafted the Cape Vulture monitoring protocol to reduce any previous confusion, making the document simpler and easier to understand and follow (Wolter., K et al 2011). We have also taken into account technology since the inception of the first draft. VulPro developed a vulture restaurant monitoring protocol which was distributed to vulture restaurant managers and owners. We hope that, by following this protocol, standardized reporting will result in increased efficiency of tagged vulture re-sightings and also in other valuable information, such as individual population vulture status for each site, frequency of visits, etc. This is available to anyone who may be interested in obtaining a copy. As can be seen from the figure 1, on the whole breeding attempts are up from 2010 and where previously we had no data, those gaps are being filled. Unfortunately, one major failure is the Cape Vulture population in Namibia which is now extinct as a breeding species with an estimated 20 individuals remaining in the country. A Recovery Plan for Namibia is underway together with a captive breeding and reintroduction programme. The full Recovery Plan document is available on request. Table 1 2011 Breeding records Breeding Pairs Nestlings Fledglings Potberg 68 66 ? Manoutsa 539 453 347 Blouberg 572 431 432 Kransberg 638 ? 455 Magaliesberg * Skeerpoort 233 168 180 * Nooitgedacht 94 76 81 * Robert’s Farm 5 4 2 Mzimkulu/Oribi 39 ? 25 Port St Johns 124 ? ? Colleywobbles 130 ? ? Msikaba 170 ? ? Mount Ayliff 30 ? ? Namibia 0 0 0 Botswana 65 (not conclusive and ? ? estimated number by Wendy Borello) Kwa-Zulu Natal / 141 (not conclusive and ? ? Drakensberg an estimated number) Total 2848 Incomplete Incomplete Figure 1 Comparison between 2010 and 2011 breeding seasons Table 2 Tabled monitoring results: Kwa-Zulu Natal Drakensberg Region (The number of adult birds recorded are an indication of the number of breeding pairs found at each site. Unfortunately chick and fledgling counts were not undertaken for the 2011 breeding season but we hope to rectify this for the 2012 season with training and guidance) SITE No. of TOTAL AREA NAME Active Nests birds seen Adults Juveniles Unknown Cathedral Peak Cleft Peak 7 4 3 Cathedral Column Peak Pyramid Pass 6 6 Cathedral Peak Ganabu 151 101 50 Cathedral Ndedema Peak Dome 18 11 7 Cathedral Peak Pampering 25 25 Cathedral Peak The Sphinx 3 3 Cathedral Ndedema Peak Buttress 12 12 Mount Highmoor Cleopatra 1 11 11 Mount Highmoor lebanon 2 8 8 Ntabamhlope Hillside East 26 24 2 Ntabamhlope Hillside West 42 40 2 Injisuthi Trojan Wall 43 38 7 Witteberg Bannermans 3 3 Witteberg Long Wall 1 1 Black Lesotho Mountain 2 4 2 2 Isiwa Kranskop Samanqe 40 39 1 Conservation Actions: The identification of threats specific to each colony is important for the implementation of appropriate conservation actions and mitigation methods in order to actively conserve the species. It is important to address the threats to these birds not only at their breeding sites but also throughout their foraging and distribution ranges. For this reason, the actions to protect the Cape Vulture should be applied throughout southern Africa and not just in South Africa (Anderson M.D., et al 2006). Monitoring the population and breeding success at each colony is merely a tool to identify the population trends over a period of time. However, the value of conservation actions will be reflected in the population trends of the species. Table 3 Conservation Identified Threats and Conservation Actions Potberg Threats: (Kevin Shaw) The birds feed predominantly on the carcasses of sheep despite the proximity of large wild ungulates on the coastal flats to the south and west of the colony. There is an arrangement with the stock farmers to leave the sheep carcasses out in the field as opposed to burying them, which is the normal practice. This preference for sheep on the part of vultures poses problems for the reserve in that vultures do take “live” sheep, especially newborn lambs and for the vultures which are exposed to agri-chemicals used by stock farmers to control ticks and blowfly. There are a number of power lines scattered throughout the foraging range of the species, delivering power to farmhouses, outbuilding and farm labourers cottages. A number of birds have died from colliding with these power lines, but no pattern has emerged as collisions have occurred far apart from one another. Two incidents of drowning have also occurred, but because farm reservoirs are not common in the area – most watering points are either water troughs or earthen dams - this is not a huge threat. In terms of future threats the agricultural economy is a large unknown and could impact on the species, with economics forcing landowners to choose other types of agriculture. Three known Cape Vulture fatalities occurred during the 2011 reporting period. All three birds died due to power line collisions. On site investigation was made, but no incident reports have to date been forwarded onto the EWT Wildlife Energy Interaction Group. This will hopefully be done in the near future. Actions: Vulture farmer interactions (educational and farmer’s workshops and meetings. These are done either in workshop formats or on a one-to-one basis) Manoutsa Threats: (Scott Ronaldson, Power-lines (electrocution and collisions) Kerri Wolter & Indirect poisoning to get rid of problem animals Walter Neser) Direct poisoning to reduce vultures as ‘indicators’ at poaching incidents Direct poisoning of vultures for the ‘muthi’ trade Lack of education Actions: Rehabilitation and educational drives are undertaken by Brian Jones of Moholoholo. Unfortunately no stats have been given with regards to numbers of vulture either rehabilitated / released or euthanized/died. Blouberg Threats: (Johan van Wyk) Indirect poisoning to get rid of problem animals Power line collisions and electrocutions Harvesting of vultures for the muti-trade Bone abnormalities Lack of education Lack of available food Actions: Vulture restaurant Carcasses are provided at the feeding site when obtained from farmers. Tagged vultures are observed and sightings of such bird are recorded in a register which is kept in the hide at the vulture feeding site for this purpose.. Vulture fatalities and/or rescue During the last reporting period, a total of 30 Cape Vultures were collected and underwent rehabilitation. Most of these birds were grounded due to rain and various weather conditions and were released shortly after. However some had suffered from power line collisions and are now permanent residents at VulPro being used for educational purposes. A reward is offered for every fledgling collected by the local community and handed over to the Blouberg Nature Reserve. This is to counteract in with the ‘muti’ trade as there are huge demands for vulture parts which the traditional healers are prepared to pay for. Through the ‘reward’ system, the vultures are collected and brought to a safe point for rehabilitation rather than being killed for the ‘muti’ industry. Sasol provides the funding to finance this initiative. Kransberg Threats: (Kerri Wolter & Power line collisions and electrocutions Walter Neser) Poisoning through laced carcasses for problem animal control Lead fragments in carcasses left over from hunting Bone abnormalities (this could be from lead exposure or lack of calcium in the birds diet) Lack of available food Actions: 7 Cape Vulture fledglings came in for rehabilitation during the last season, 5 were later released and 2 euthanised due to their injuries being too severe to treat . This is our first year actively working in the area. As well

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